Saudi Arabia: Higher profile for Rakan Bin Salman

MBS’ younger brother Prince Rakan Bin Salman is increasingly seen in the company of the king. He accompanied his father to the 13 February inauguration ceremony for the launch of $22bn worth of Riyadh-focused development projects. A few weeks earlier he had travelled to Bahrain to give the family’s condolences to Al-Khalifa members on the death of Sheikha Noora Bint Isa (King Hamad’s sister). On that trip he travelled with some junior princes including Mohammed Bin Mishari (who has energy sector interests).